Bead-knotting and clasp-attaching device



Jan. 13, 1925- 1,522,571

L. BECKER BEAD KNOTTING AND CLASP ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Feb. 8, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. BECKER BEAD KNOTTING AND CLASP ATTACHING DEVICE Jan. 13, 1925. 7 1,522,571

Filed Feb. 8, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 1925- 1,522,571

- BECKER BEAD KNOTTING AND CLASP ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Feb. 8, 1924 4SheetsStieet :5

Jan. 1925- 1,522,571

L. BECKER BEAD KNOTTING AND CLASP ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Feb. 8, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 251, aftozueq Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

UN E T E D T A T E S LYDA BECKER, T3 INDIANAPDLIS, INDIANA.

BEAD-KNOTTING AND CLASP-ATTACHING DEVICE.

Application filed February 8, 1924. Serial No. 691,495.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, LYDA BECKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion andState of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bead-Knotting' and Clasp- Attaching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices used in the formation of necklaces and has for its object the provision of a noveldevi'ce'by means of which beads may be knotted as they are strung in a manner which will be much easier, less nerve racking and less time con sunn ng than the ordinary and well known methods.

More specifically, the invention has for its obj ect the provision of an implement-and a novel method for employing the same in effecting the tying of knots between successive beads whereby several advantages will be obtained, the principal one of which is that in case ofbreakage the beads'will not all fall off from the string and be lost.

It is well known that the ordinary string of beads in which there are no knots be tween the successive'beads is high unsatisfactory for several reasons, one of which is that the beads, if strung tightly, crowd together so that the appearance is marred; another of which is that in case of breakage all the beads may slip off and become lost, especially if this occurs on the street or in a public place. It is with these facts in view that the practice has arisen of knottingthe string between the bead. Ordinarily this work is done by hand and is extremely tedious and laborious inaddition to wearing on the nerves. Furthermore it is a diflicult matter to provide the knots real close to the beads so as to have the spacing exactly even.

The invention has for a feature the-provision of a specific implement which facilitates the operation of knotting, this imple incnt being moreover susceptible of considerable variation in'the exact construction and use thereof.

Another object is theprovision of animplement tor thepurpose specified which will be simple and inexpensive 'to manufacture, easy to use, positive in action, efficient and durable in service and a general improvement in the art.

Nith the above and other objects and ad vantagesin'view the invention consistsin-the details of construction to "be li'erei'irafter ing from the center.

more, fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawlngs, in

' which ments upon the string.

The implement shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive comprises a flat body 10 of wood, fiber, composition or in fact any desired material which is relatively rigid and which is preferably otelongated shape with one end rounded at'll. The other end portion 12 is formed with an inwardly dished, curved or concaved 'central'portion 13 at the sides of which are curved corners 14:. The body 10 is formed of two similar sections 9 each of which is formed with an L-shaped groove or recess 8. These recesses mate to define an L- shaped passage within which is conformingly engaged the correspondingly shaped end 7 of the needle 15 which has its major portion extending longitudinally of and upon the body 10, with its intermediate portion formed with an eye 16.

In the use of the device, it is intended that a string A be provided upon which the beads B areto be strung and t0 the finished ends of which are to be secured catch elements C. Upon one end of the string is secured a fine wire needle D which facilitates threading of the string through the beads. It is intended that the beads be strung and knotted, half at a time, start- In other words, a Knot is formed at the center of the string and the first bead is applied and knotted afterwhichthe next bead "is strung on and knotted and so on until one-halt is filled, after which one clasp element is applied, the other'half is fixed the same way starting of course from the center.

The implement'is held in one hand, preferably the left, and the string or cord is placed againstthe device and held by the left thumb until the knot is made. To

. tightly onto the cord.

form the knot, the operator grasps the loose end of the cord in the right hand and makes a loop to the right around the eye 16 of the needle 15, placing the left thumb over the cord and loop thereof. Then with the right hand, the small wire needle D is inserted from the back of the device through the center of the loop of the cord and the eye 16 of the needle of the device. The cord is then drawn gently backwardly away from the device, while permitting the loop to slip from under the thumb but holding The cord is then drawn firmly to tie the knot and the knot is released by drawing it gently off from the needle 15. This operation is illustrated in Figure 1. After removing the knot from the needle, the knot 17 is tightened by the fingers and the first bead is strung onto the cord.

The operator then takes the device in the left hand, putting the bead that has been strung on the device, with the needle at the right of the bead, while holding the thumb of the left hand on the knot with the bead immediately above the knot. Then, with the right hand, the operator takes the cord and throws a loop to the right in the direction of the arrows on Figure 2, around the eye 16 of the needle. The left thumb is then lifted and placed on the cord at the left top corner of the device. Then it is necessary to take the small wire need-1e on the cord between the thumb and first finger of the right hand, catching the cord between the third and fourth fingers and inserting the small wire needle in the center of the loop from theback of the device and through both the loop and the eye 16 of the needle of the device as shown in Figure 3. Still holding both hands in the same position, with the small nee'dleof the cord in the center of the loop, the operator releases the little wire needle from the first finger and thumb of the right hand, and grasps the needle again after it has been put through the center of the loop, and then draws the cord gently backwardly or away from the device as illustrated in Figure 2. About the same time the operator uses the thumb of the left hand for forcing the last knotted bead toward the eye of the needle, it being important to prevent the bead or beads from slipping back on the device while knotting is being effected. The cord is then drawn baokwardly away from the device slowly and gently until the last bead put 011 is drawn as far as possible toward the eye of the needle. after which the cord is drawn more firmly until the last bead is brought tightly between both knots of the cord. It is essential not to jerk the knot rapidly as it would tighten the loop too quickly and before it reaches the eye of the needle. If this should happen, the knot must be picked open. Avoid letting the beads slip backwards on. the device as the knotting of the beads is easier handled by keeping the beads towards the eye 16 of the needle 15. Should they slip backwards, draw them up gently without jerking the cord towards the eye 16 of the needle 15 drawing the cord in the opposite direction from the device until the last bead strung is closely encased between the two knots. Tighten by forcing the knot into the proper position with respect to the beads so that there will be a close fit with the first finger and thumb nails of the right hand holding the cord in the palm of the right hand. Release the beads from the arm of the needle 15 and again tighten the knot by forcing it towards the bead by the same process namely the finger nails. The essential feature is the close encasing of the beads between successive knots. This operation is the same as each bead is strung and a plurality of strung beads are shown in Figure 4.

In case the cord or string is a trifle small for the perforations in the beads, it. is advisable not to push the knots together tightly after taking beads off from the needle 15 for the reason that if theknot is left loose it will be less likely to pull through the beads.

After all the beads have, been placed in position, it is necessary to apply the clasp device. The last bead put on is not knotted.

Holding the device in the left hand, with the string of beads lying against one side of the implement, the operator makes a loop to the right around the eye 16 of the needle and holds the cord with the left thumb at the upper left corner of the device as shown in Figure 5. The little wire needle at the end of the cord is then taken in the right hand and the ring of the clasp is threaded on to the needle and cord. The ring is permitted to slide on the cord, or is forced along if necessary until it reaches the point where the left thumb holds the'cord against the implement. The ring is shown in this position in Figure 6 and is referred to by the reference character 18. The small wire needle at the end of the cord is then passed through the loop of the cord which is around the eye of the needle, from the rear of the device as shown in'Figure 6. It is then necessary to hold the device in a level. position. with the string of beads lying in the palm of the left hand so that the beads will not slip backwards along the device, after which nearly all of the slack in the cord is drawn up. Using the little wire needle of the cord in the right hand, the operator forces the ring of the clasp downwardly along the cord while still holding the loop. The 'cord is then drawn up until the ring can be shoved with the first finger of the left hand under the round eye of the needle and is held thereby the first finger of the left hand as shown in Figure 7. 'Holding the ring of, the. clasp in that position," and holding it firmly to the eye of theneedle, the loopis drawn 'so that the ring, willnot slip through. Should it slip through the clasp would not be tied tothe beads. It is next necessary to lay the firstfingers ofthe right hand lightly on the upper right hand corner of the device to support it while placing the thumb of the left hand on the beads to hold them, and, then to release the cord of the loop. The next step is to remove the first finger of the right hand from the device and take hold of the cord, still holding the beads with the thumb of the left hand, and holding the ring of the clasp with the first finger ofv the left hand, and then to drawthe cord slowly and gently at right angles to the right of the device until the loop of the cord is drawn closely'to the ring of the clasp. At this stage care should be taken not to draw the loop tightly as the clasp ring is still a considerable distance from thebeads. Hold should then be taken of the clasp ring with the right hand, still holding the beads with the left thumb, and the loopshould be pulled loose, after which the cord is grasped and drawn gently and slowly at the. same time shoving the string of beads with the left thumb toward the eye of the needle. If necessary, the operator should take hold of the clasp ring with the fingers of the right hand and pull it loose a second or even a third time without drawing. the knot firmly until the clasp ring is close to the last head, whereupon the cord shouldbe drawn firmly to effect proper knotting. Extreme care should be taken at this stage for the reason that if the cord is broken the whole string of beads must be reknotted and to avoid such contingency the cord should never be jerked but should be drawn gently.

It is next necessary to let the beads hang from the needle and tighten the knot with the finger nails, holding the cord in the palm of the hand as in Figure 4. The knot and beads should be released from the arm of the needle by drawing gently, after which the ring of the clasp is again slipped onto the needle arm and the knot again drawn firmly.

The knot and beads should be released from the arm of the needle by drawing, gently, after which the ring of the clasp is again slipped onto the needle arm and the knot again drawn firmly. Then with the little ring of the clasp on the needle of the device, holding the device in the left hand, let the string of beads hang over the first finger of the left hand, holding the device and beads in the palm of the left hand with the third, fourth and little finger. Then with the right hand take the cord and make a loop to the right, holding the loop of the cord with the left thumb, in the upper right head strung.

corner of the device; then take the little wire needle of the cord in the right hand, and fromba ck of. the. hand, insert. the wire needle underneath the ring of the clasp, and through the loop of the cord, but not through the needle of the device and, not through the little ring of the clasp, as shown in FigureS.

EThen draw up the slack line, and again insert the little wire needle of the cord, only through the loop from underneath the cord, and from the right side of the device, as shown in Figure 12 and as indicated by arrows.

Then draw the cord at right angles to the device and see that the loop is drawn between the little ring of the clasp and last Draw tight, and then tighten with finger nails of the first finger and thumb of right hand holding the cord in palm of right hand. Release beads from the arm of the needle of the device and cut the cord. This process makes the ring of the clasp secure and finishes one half of the string of beads and the other half is treated in like manner.

If desired a double knot may be made between the successive beads, instead of using only a single knot, the advantage being that the cord is sometimes smaller than the hole in the head, which might permit an ordinary or single knot to slip through or into the beads. In carrying out the feature, the device is held in the hand and a loop is made to theright around the needle. after which the needle on the cord is passed through the loop and through the eye 16 of the device from the back thereof, as shown in Figure lVhile still holding the left thumb on the loop, the slack cord is drawn up, and the needle on the cord'is inserted through the loop only from the front of the device from underneath the cord. The slack line is again drawn up and the beads are pushed toward the eye 16, while at the same time the cord is drawn in the opposite direction from the device until the knot is close to the head, tightening being accomplished with the first finger and thumb nails, holding the cord in the palm of the right hand and remain ing fingers until the bead is closely encased between the two knots. The cord is then released from the arm of the needle and the knot tightened again. This double knot is used when the cord is a trifle small for the perforations in the beads or in those instances where it is desired to provide a larger knot.

Instead of using the implement illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 and described above, I may employ the variation illustrated in Figure 9, in which the device is shown as comprising an elongated fiat body 20 formed in sections and having one end 21 curved and having its other end formed with a slot 22 defining ltd) arms 23 having curved ends 24. In this instance the needle 25 is straight but is secured within the body at the inner end of the ,slot in the same manner as in the first described form, the free end of the needle projecting slightly beyond the curved ends of the arms The manner of using this modified form varies somewhat from the above described operation but is sufficiently similar as not to necessitate a description of all the various steps, the cord being looped in substantially the same, or at least similar manner as above described.

Regardless of which form of the device is used, it is apparent that after one-half of the beads are strung and one clasp element ap plied, the other half of the beads should be applied and the other clasp element attached in exactly the same manner.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a simply constructed, inexpensive and highly satisfactory device and method for knotting beads during the stringing thereof, the device being much easier to operate than the hand method and saving time and annoyance.

While I have shown and described the pre ferred embodiment of my invention it is of course to be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, con struction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. An implement for use in knotting a bead cord during stringing of beads thereon, comprising an elongated body member, and a needle permanently carried by one end thereof, the needle being adapted for use as a guide in the formation of loops to define knots.

2. A device of the character described comprising an elongated fiat body having one end rounded andits other end formed with a concavity, and a needle secured to the body at said concavity.

3. A device of the character described comprising an elongated fiat body having one end rounded and its other endformed with a concavity, a needle secured to the body at said concavit the needle being refi-exly curved and including an arm extending longitudinally of and in spaced relation to the body.

4:. An implement for use in knotting a bead cord during stringing of beads thereon comprising a supporting body member and a guide needle secured to and projecting beyond one end thereof.

5. A device of the character described comprising a body member having one end rounded and a needle secured to the body and projecting beyond the other end thereof.

6. A device of the character described comprising a supporting body, and a needle secured thereto and projecting beyond one end thereof, the needle being reflexly extended and having its major portion overlying the body.

7. A device of the character described comprising a supporting body formed of sections, and a needle secured between the sections and projecting beyond one end of the body.

8. A device of the character described comprising a body formed of sections having their confronting sides recessed, and a needle located within the recesses and projecting beyond one end of the body.

9. A device of the character described comprising a body formed of sections having their confronting sides recessed, and a needle locatedwithin the recesses and projecting beyond one end of the body, said recesses being angular in shape and a needle being likewise angular and conformingly fitting within the recesses whereby to prevent rotation with respect to the body member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LYDA BECKER. 

